Machiavelli's Insights on Modern Social Media Dynamics
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Chapter 1: The Relevance of Machiavelli in Today's Society
Niccolò Machiavelli's wisdom resonates even in our digital age. His statement, "Those few do not dare to oppose the majority, who control the state that defends them," can be rephrased for contemporary relevance: "Those few do not dare to challenge the tech elite, who oversee the social media platforms that govern our discourse."
Social media has profoundly influenced our perceptions. Pre-COVID, many would have reacted strongly against platforms like Facebook suppressing a media figure for "spreading disinformation," equating it with censorship reminiscent of authoritarian regimes. However, today, such actions are met with indifference, often justified as being for our own protection. But is that truly the case?
In his article for Tablet Magazine, Jenin Younes argues that this is a perilous expansion of government authority. He delves into the upcoming case of Missouri v. Biden, which asserts that the Biden Administration and the National Institute of Health (NIH) colluded to infringe upon the free speech rights of a collective of epidemiologists from Stanford, Oxford, and Harvard.
This group was responsible for the Great Barrington Declaration in 2020, which criticized government lockdown strategies, asserting they caused more harm than benefit. Instead, they advocated for protecting the most vulnerable without imposing widespread societal shutdowns. The declaration gained traction on social media, gathering support from various scientists. However, it faced severe backlash from figures like Drs. Anthony Fauci and Francis Collins of the NIH, who labeled it as dangerous and sought to discredit the authors.
The media soon joined the fray, and social media platforms began to heavily censor discussions surrounding the declaration, leading to suspicions of a coordinated attack.
Younes reveals through a FOIA request that emails from Fauci and Collins to media outlets indicate a deliberate effort to "takedown" the declaration, illustrating a troubling alliance between government entities and media in stifling scientific dissent.
He elaborates that this is not an isolated incident, pointing out that "The Missouri documents, along with those from Berenson v. Twitter and a FOIA request by America First Legal, reveal an extensive and unprecedented regime of viewpoint-based censorship orchestrated by at least 11 federal agencies and around 80 officials directing social media companies to eliminate posts and accounts that contradict government narratives on various topics, including COVID, the 2020 election, and the Hunter Biden laptop affair."
Ultimately, we witness Machiavelli's principles manifesting in our era, with social media serving as the backdrop.
Section 1.1: The Importance of Appearance in Politics
Machiavelli asserts, "A Prince needs to take care never to let escape from his lips anything contrary to these five qualities: seeming always to be compassionate, faithful, honest, humane, and religious. Nothing is more important than to seem to be religious."
Much of Machiavelli's counsel revolves around the significance of appearances. He astutely observes the contrast between how one ought to behave versus how one must genuinely act. Hence, he suggests that one should merely appear religious.
In a secular world, media elites have their own sacred concepts, employing specialized terminology that makes them appear virtuous. This creates a dichotomy where dissenters can easily be labeled as heretics. Current labels might include "science denier," "conspiracy theorist," or "spreader of disinformation." Once categorized, the views of these so-called heretics are disregarded.
For example, PayPal recently threatened to penalize users $2500 for disseminating "disinformation," effectively allowing them to withdraw funds for what they deem "wrong-think."
While such measures might seem aimed at fringe beliefs, they could just as easily target the lockdown-skeptical epidemiologists, illustrating a precarious slope.
Fortunately, after public backlash, PayPal revised their stance, albeit still imposing fines for "intolerance," which remains broadly defined.
Section 1.2: The Isolation of Dissenters
Machiavelli also writes, "Who plots cannot be alone nor can he seek out anyone except malcontents." This isolation strategy is evident today, where dissenters find themselves grouped with genuine miscreants, creating an environment ripe for distrust.
Consider the trend of individuals leaving platforms like Twitter and Facebook for alternatives like GETTER or Rumble to escape censorship. Many commentators are now establishing their own outlets to evade big tech suppression, albeit with a quieter presence.
The best Machiavellian strategy, however, is yet to be revealed.
Chapter 2: Delegating Unpopular Actions
Younes notes that social media companies often act out of fear. Conversations from FOIA requests suggest these companies face threats from government officials, like when President Biden accused Facebook of "killing people" for insufficient censorship.
Under pressure, social media companies may overcompensate by censoring "heretic" speech to avoid potential regulatory repercussions. This creates a narrative where these platforms are seen as the villains, while the government remains shielded from scrutiny.
The consequences? Misinformation can obscure the truth.
Two years ago, I hesitated to explore the theory of COVID's origins in a lab due to fear of backlash. At the time, anyone suggesting this was labeled a "conspiracy theorist." However, the government later began investigating the possibility, and Facebook lifted its ban on discussing it.
Science writer Matt Ridley and geneticist Dr. Alina Chan published a book in 2021 exploring this topic, revealing how the stigma associated with the "conspiracy theorist" label stifled legitimate inquiry.
Revisiting the epidemiologists, it raises the question: did they have valid points? Their voices, however, were silenced due to a partnership between social media and the government.
The line separating "misinformation" from legitimate scientific discourse has blurred, with dissenting voices now categorized alongside fringe theories. Scientists themselves are not immune from this trend.
In conclusion, science is fallible and must withstand public scrutiny. Platforms like RetractionWatch highlight the necessity for accountability in research.
Machiavelli would likely find today's social media landscape a fitting illustration of his principles.
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Chapter 2.1: Why Your Love and Social Life Suck According to Machiavelli
Understanding how Machiavelli's insights relate to our social lives can illuminate the dynamics of modern relationships.
Chapter 2.2: The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli - Book Review
For those interested in a deeper exploration of Machiavelli's work, a comprehensive review of "The Prince" can provide valuable context.